Hazard signs new deal

Eden Hazard has today signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract with Chelsea.

The club’s Player of the Year has continued his excellent form this season, scoring 13 times in 36 appearances and helping us to the top of the Barclays Premier League.

'I am very happy to sign a new contract with Chelsea,' Hazard said. 'Since I came here in 2012 I have always felt good and the club has been very supportive to me.

'The manager has helped me improve a lot, the fans have been fantastic and I have an amazing understanding with my team-mates.

'I always try to give pleasure to the supporters with my style of play and it is nice to know they appreciate my work.

'I hope we can repay that support by winning lots of trophies, beginning with the Capital One Cup at Wembley, and after that, we can push hard towards the end of the season.'

Jose Mourinho added: ‘I am very happy that Eden has signed a new contract. It shows he believes in the club’s coaching staff and players to help him become the best player in the world.

'He is already a top player and his evolution has been fantastic. He is still very young and he can become the best.’

Widely regarded as one of the most dangerous attackers in world football, Hazard, 24, has completed more dribbles and suffered more fouls than any other player in the league this season, drawing praise for his sporting manner as well as his technical ability.

The Belgian, pictured above with club director Marina Granovskaia, arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2012 and has since made a total 147 appearances for the Blues, scoring 43 goals.

Hazard was voted Chelsea’s Player of the Year by the club’s supporters for the 2013/14 campaign following an exhilarating second season in west London. He finished as our top goalscorer, netting 17 in all competitions, before representing his country at their first World Cup since 2002. He also lifted the Europa League in his first season as a Chelsea player.